Lampholder assembly

ABSTRACT

A lampholder assembly is provided for one or more fluorescent lamps having a single lamp cap, including at least one lampholder module. The lampholder module includes a lamp part for receiving the lamp and a narrower support part for supporting the lamp part, as well as at least one ballast. Only a relatively small and compact part of the lampholder assembly contains the electric components and connections, while the lampholder assembly is such that it can be built in or affixed quickly and easily.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a lampholder assembly for one or morefluorescent lamps having a single lamp cap, comprising at least onelampholder module, which lampholder module comprises a part forreceiving the lamp (the lamp part) and a narrower part supporting thelamp part (the support part), as well as at least one ballast.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A lampholder assembly of the type described above is known from Europeanpatent specification 0.151.598. That publication discloses in particulara lampholder assembly of which the ballast and the lampholder moduleproper can be assembled readily, owing to electric wiring built into thelampholder module. Optionally, the support part of the lampholder modulecan support two lamp parts, as is explained with reference to forinstance FIGS. 4 and 5 of the European patent specification mentioned.

In practice, ballast and lampholder module will be incorporated in alarger whole, the fitting, which larger whole must be suitable to bebuilt in or affixed. Such a construction often comprises a plurality ofparts--namely, the component to be built in or affixed itself,containing the lampholder module and the ballast, and a covering member.The part that contains the electric components and connections mustsatisfy certain safety requirements. The quality-control institutedesignated by the electricity companies (KEMA in the Netherlands), isparticularly concerned with the quality-control of said part and tendsnot to pay any attention to the covering part, which does not compriseany electric components or connections. Because in known constructionsthe lampholder module is often mounted on a part of the fitting and theballast therebelow, a large part of that fitting (which term includesthe entire "case" or "box") is subject to the safety requirementsreferred to above. Moreover, building in or affixing such constructionsis laborious and time-consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a lampholder assembly inwhich only a relatively small and compact part contains the electriccomponents and connections, while the assembly is such that it can bebuilt in or affixed quickly and easily.

The object contemplated is accomplished according to the invention byproviding a lampholder assembly which comprises a base plate formounting thereon the lampholder module and the ballast, as well as acaplike member having a top surface which, when said caplike member hasbeen mounted, is disposed in a plane below the lamp part of thelampholder module, which top surface has an opening provided thereinformed to have a broad portion and an adjacent narrower portion, in sucha way that at least the lamp part of the lampholder module can passthrough said opening when the caplike member is being mounted, saidopening further being provided in a location such that when the cap hasbeen mounted, the support part of the lampholder module is disposed inthe narrower portion of the opening, which narrower portion itself isnarrower than the lamp part of the lampholder module, and a cover plateof suitable dimensions for covering the broader portion of said opening,which broader portion, when said cap has been mounted, is disposedbefore the support part of the lampholder module, there being providedmeans for attaching said cover plate, said caplike member and said baseplate to each other. Thus, in the lampholder assembly according to theinvention only the base plate and the lampholder module and ballast tobe mounted thereon comprise electric components and connections so thatin principle only those parts are subject to the safety requirementsreferred to. Any further parts of the whole to be mounted on the baseplate can be constructed as desired and need not as a rule satisfy anyrequirements other than the user's. The base plate of the assemblyaccording to the invention is preferably made of metal to ensure properheat dissipation.

In one embodiment of the lampholder assembly according to the invention,which is suitable for affixation, the base plate is substantially flatand the caplike member is more or less box-shaped. In one embodiment,suitable for building in, the base plate comprises a deepened centralportion, in which deepened portion the lampholder module and the ballastcan be mounted, while the caplike member is substantially flat. Thelampholder assembly according to the invention can be adapted for asingle lampholder module and ballast, but may also be constructed withtwo or more lampholder modules with corresponding ballasts. This doesnot alter the principle of the construction--namely, a base plate with acap having an opening in its top surface, the lamp part of thelampholder module(s) projecting above said top surface.

In a preferred embodiment of the lampholder assembly according to theinvention, the caplike member is provided with an ornamental cover ormeans of attachment for mounting an ornamental cover or the like abovethe caplike member. This creates the possibility of using any ornamentalcover. Such an ornamental cover will as a rule cover the lamp part ofthe lampholder module and the lamp to be mounted therein. It will beclear that many variants of such an ornamental cover are conceivable.The same, for that matter, holds for the caplike member itself, whichmay be of any desired colour or shape, and for the cover plate retainingthe caplike member in mounted position on the base plate. This coverplate may suitably be constructed as a mirror, for instance. In anotherpreferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the baseplate is provided with means of attachment for mounting additionalelectric components on the base plate. One example would be an electricswitch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further explained and illustrated withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded view of an embodiment of the lampholderassembly according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a similar view of another embodiment; and

FIG. 3 is a similar view of yet another embodiment of the lampholderassembly according to the invention.

In the Figures like parts are designated by like reference numerals.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiment of the device according to the invention as shown in FIG.1 comprises the more or less flat base plate 1, onto which the strip 4is mounted by means of nut 2 and bolt 3, onto which strip 4 the ballast5 and the lampholder module 6 are mounted. Lampholder module 6 andballast 5 are plugged into each other in the manner disclosed inEuropean patent specification 0.151.598 mentioned above. The lampholdermodule 6 comprises the cap part proper, into which the ballast 5 isplugged through the contact pins (not shown) mounted on the ballast, thesupport part 7 and the lamp part 8 for receiving a lamp of the PL-type.

As shown, the base plate 1 is not entirely flat in this embodiment, butslightly recessed in such a way that the central portion is raisedrelative to the sides.

The base plate 1 further comprises two bores 9 and 10 for passing screws11 and 12 through so as to fixedly screw the base plate 1 to a wall orthe like. Via an opening 13 the feed wires from a junction box in thewall or on the ceiling on which the bottom plate 1 is mounted, can bepassed from under the raised central portion of the plate 1 toconnecting points on the ballast 5 and/or lampholder module 6. Providedfurther on the base plate 1 on opposite sides of the strip 4 are a pairof clamps 14 and 15 mounted for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

The whole of base plate 1 and the ballast 5 and the lampholder module 6mounted thereon comprises all electric components and wiring of thelampholder assembly, so that it is primarily that whole which is subjectto the relevant safety requirements. The assembly can be furtherconstructed in accordance with the requirements and wishes of theconstructor.

The further construction of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 comprises amore or less box-shaped cap 16, which after being mounted over the baseplate 1 with its accessories, rests against the support surface on whichthe base plate 1 is mounted. The cap 16 is shown spaced away from thebase plate 1. The relevant broken lines indicate its movement when it isbeing mounted. Provided in the top surface of the cap 16 is an openingcomprising a rectangular broader portion 17 and an adjacent rectangularnarrower portion 18. The dimensions of the narrower portion 18 of theopening in the top surface of the cap 16 are such that the support part7 of the lampholder module 6 can properly fit into it. When the cap 16is being mounted, it is moved in the direction of the base plate 1 sothat the lamp part 8 of the lampholder module 6 extends through thebroad portion 17 of the opening, projecting beyond the top surface ofthe cap 16. Then the cap 16 is moved in longitudinal direction until thesupport part 7 of the lampholder module 6 is exactly enclosed by thenarrower portion 18 of the opening.

Mounted in the interior of the cap 16 are support members or legs 19,which are mounted on the inner side of the top surface. The legs 19extend nearly as far as the bottom side of the sidewall of the cap 16 sothat when a lampholder assembly that has not yet been mounted on asupport surface is being handled, the base plate 1 will not sink intocap 16 since the legs will cause the cap 16 to rest on the unraisedsides of the base plate 1.

The long sides of the broader portion 17 of the opening in the topsurface of the cap 16 are constructed as a support edge 20 forsupporting a cover plate 21 that otherwise fits exactly into thatbroader portion 17, which plate 21 is provided at the bottom side withtwo hooks 22 and 23 for coaction with clamps 14 and 15, respectively,provided on the base plate 1. The manner in which the cover plate 21 ismounted is schematically shown by broken lines. After cap 16 is mounted,the plate is placed in the broader portion 17 of the opening in such away that the hooks 22 and 23 are positioned right before the clamps 14,15. Then the plate 21 is slid in the direction of the support part 7 inthe narrower portion 18 of the opening, until the plate 21 completelyfills the broader portion 17 and the hooks 22 and 23 exactly engage inthe clamps 14, 15. Thus the cover plate 21 is more or less fixedlyattached to the base plate 1, thereby remaining the cap 16 in its properposition. For removing the cover plate 21 a recess 24 may be provided inthe short side of the broader portion 17 of the opening opposite theside that the narrow portion 18 is adjacent to, for receiving a tool,for instance a screwdriver or a knife, so as to lift the cover plate 21and then to slide it back so as to release the hooks 22 and 23 from theclamps 14 and 15, respectively.

What is left after the lampholder assembly is mounted is, as it were, asubstantially flat and smooth box which is fixedly mounted on thesupport surface, only the lamp part 8 of the lampholder module 6projecting therefrom. Then, as desired, before or after mounting thelamp in the lamp part 8 any ornamental cover can be mounted over or onthe assembly. Such an ornamental cover which may be of any desireddesign, is not shown in FIG. 1, nor are the means of attachment requiredfor such an ornamental cover. Anyone skilled in the art can think ofsuch means of attachment. Such an ornamental cover may also, in whole orin part, be part of the cap 16 or the cover plate 21.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the device according to the inventionwhich is suitable to be built in and comprises two lampholder moduleswith corresponding ballasts.

The device according to FIG. 2 comprises a base plate 1 which isrecessed in such a way that the central portion forms a deepened trough.In this deepened central portion of the base plate 1, the strips 4a and4b are mounted by means of nut 2a and bolt 3a and nut 2b and bolt 3b,respectively. The strips 4a and 4b in turn support the respectiveballasts 5a and 5b and the respective lampholder modules 6a and 6b,coupled thereto. The lampholder modules 6a and 6b comprise, arrangedabove the cap part proper, the support part 7a, 7b and the lamp part 8a,8b. Provided in the long sides of the base plate are the openings 9 and10 By means of screws 11 and 12 which extend through said openings 9 and10, the base plate 1 can be secured to the support surface. In the caseof building in, as contemplated, the deepened portion of the base plate1 will be sunk into that support surface so that only the long sidesrest on the support surface and in fact, of the assembly, only thesupport parts 7a and 7b and the lamp parts 8a and 8b of the lampholdermodules 6a and 6b project from the support surface.

The assembly of base plate 1 with the lampholder modules 6a and 6b andballasts 5a and 5b mounted thereon, is largely covered by the cap 16,which in the embodiment according to FIG. 2 has the shape of asubstantially flat plate. Provided in the cap or plate 16 is an openingcomprising a rectangular broad portion 17 and adjacent, mutuallyinterspaced, narrower portions 18a and 18b. To mount the cap or plate16, it is moved in the direction of the base plate 1 so that the lampparts 8a and 8b of the respective lampholder modules 6a and 6b extendthrough the broader portion 17 of the opening. Then the plate 16 ismoved in longitudinal direction so that the support parts 7a and 7b ofthe respective lampholder modules 6a and 6b are exactly enclosed by thenarrower portions 18a and 18b of the opening in the plate 16. Themovement of the plate 16 is indicated in FIG. 2 by broken lines.

After the cap or plate 16 is mounted, the broader portion 17 of theopening is covered with the cover plate 21, which rests in the openingon the support edges 20 along the long sides of the broader portion 17of the opening. The cover plate 21 is fixedly mounted on the base plate1 by means of a screw 25 which is screwed through a hole 26 in the plate21 into an internally threaded cylinder 27 which is fixedly mounted inthe deepened portion of the base plate 1 between the ballasts 5a and 5b.

After assembly in the manner described hereinabove, the support surfaceis covered with the cap or plate 16 and only lamp parts 8a and 8b of thelampholder modules 6a and 6b project from that support surface and saidplate 16. Onto this assembly, too, the desired ornamental covers or capscan be mounted. Such ornamental covers may also be part of the plate 16in the cover plate 21. FIG. 2 shows a small section of the upright rim27' and of the top surface 28 of such an ornamental cap, which may be ofany kind. Any suitable manner of mounting such an ornamental cap ispossible.

FIG. 2 shows a round cap or plate 16. It will be clear that in thebuild-in variant other forms can be used with the same effect.Similarly, in the variant according to FIG. 1 other caps thanrectangular ones, for instance triangular or round ones, can be used.

FIG. 3 shows yet another embodiment of the lampholder assembly accordingto the invention. This embodiment comprises the base plate 1 which isentirely flat in this case and is not recessed or raised. This baseplate, too, is provided with openings for mounting the plate on asupport surface by means of screws. FIG. 3 shows the opening 9 and thescrew 11. Mounted on the base plate 1 is the strip 4, onto which theballast 5 is mounted. Further mounted on the strip 4 is a bracket 29mounting the lamp part proper 30, spaced from the strip 4. Aftermounting the cap 16 over base plate 1 and the parts mounted thereon, thelamp holder proper 30, projecting above the cap 16, can be encased bymeans of cap 31. Further mounted on strip 4 is a connector 32 forsuitable realization of the interconnection of the electric wiring frompower supply to lamp holder 30 and ballast 5.

Mounted on the front edge of the base plate 1 are two upright lugs 33and 34, on which a pressure switch 35 (lug 33) and a pull relief 36 (lug34) are mounted. At a suitable location on opposite sides of the plate 4two upright brackets 37 and 38 have been forced out from the base plate1, intended for mounting the cap construction to be discussedhereinafter.

The cap 16 referred to is more or less box-shaped in the embodimentshown in FIG. 3. Provided in the front wall of the box-shaped cap 16 isan opening 39 for the operating button of switch 35 to extend through inoperation. Provided further in that wall is a recess 40 which inoperation is positioned facing the pull relief 36 so that a flex can bepassed therethrough to the base plate 1. Provided in the top surface ofthis cap 16, too, an opening is provided having a broader portion 17 andan adjacent narrower portion 18. Provided along the long sides of thebroader portion 17 of the opening is a support edge 20, while along apart of the support edge 20 a downwardly directed strip 41, 42 ismounted. Provided at the bottom of the strips 41, 42 are means ofattachment, each comprising a fixed block 43, 44 and a resilient part45, 46 attached to the fixed block. When the cap 16 is being mounted,the attachment means coact with the brackets 37 and 38 on the baseplate 1. As indicated by the broken lines, the cap 16 is mounted bymoving it downwardly in the direction of the base plate 1 and then toslide it in longitudinal direction so that the switch 35 extends throughthe opening 39 and the attachment means 43, 45 and 44, 46, respectivelyare clamped under the brackets 38 and 37, respectively.

After the cap is mounted, only the lamp holder 30 itself along with theupper part of the bracket 29 extends beyond the top surface of the cap16. The opening in the top surface of the cap 16 is closed by fittingthe cover plate 21 therein, which is supported by the support edge 20and is clamped in position by the fixed clamps 47 and 48 on the edge ofthe part of the cap 16 that is adjacent to the opening at the narrowerportion 18 thereof, as well as by the resilient clamp 49 along theopposite edge of the opening.

On the box-shaped assembly thus constructed, too, ornamental covers canor may have been mounted, as desired. FIG. 3 schematically shows a partof the rim 27' and a part of the top surface 28 of such an ornamentalcover.

It will be clear that without departure from the invention many furthervariants are conceivable.

I claim:
 1. A lampholder assembly for one or more fluorescent lampshaving a single lamp cap, comprising at least one lampholder module,which lampholder module comprises a part for receiving the lamp (thelamp part) and a narrower part supporting the lamp part (the supportpart), as well as at least one ballast, wherein the assembly comprises abase plate for mounting thereof the lampholder module and the ballast,as well as a caplike member having a top surface which, when saidcaplike member has been mounted, is disposed in a plane below the lamppart of the lampholder module, which top surface has an opening providedtherein formed to have a broad portion and an adjacent narrower portion,in such a way that at least the lamp part of the lampholder module canpass through said opening when the caplike member is being mounted, saidopening further being provided in a location such that when the cap hasbeen mounted, the support part of the lampholder module is disposed inthe narrower portion of the opening, which narrower portion itself isnarrower than the lamp part of the lampholder module, and a cover plateof suitable dimensions for covering the broader portion of said opening,which broader portion, when said cap has been mounted, is disposedbefore the support part of the lampholder module, there being providedmeans for attaching said cover plate, said caplike member and said baseplate to each other.
 2. A lampholder assembly according to claim 1,wherein the base plate is provided with means of attachment for mountingadditional electric components on said base plate.
 3. A lampholderassembly according to claim 1, wherein the base plate is substantiallyflat and the caplike part is more or less box-shaped.
 4. A lampholderassembly according to claim 3, wherein the caplike part is provided withan ornamental cover or with means of attachment to enable mounting anornamental cover or the like above said caplike part.
 5. A lampholderassembly according to claim 3, wherein the base plate is provided withmeans of attachment for mounting additional electric components on saidbase plate.
 6. A lampholder assembly according to claim 1, wherein thebase plate comprises a deepened central portion, in which centralportion the lampholder module and the ballast can be mounted, while thecaplike part is substantially flat.
 7. A lampholder assembly accordingto claim 6, wherein the caplike part is provided with an ornamentalcover or with means of attachment to enable mounting an ornamental coveror the like above said caplike part.
 8. A lampholder assembly accordingto claim 6, wherein the base plate is provided with means of attachmentfor mounting additional electric components on said base plate.
 9. Alampholder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the caplike part isprovided with an ornamental cover or with means of attachment to enablemounting an ornamental cover or the like above said caplike part.
 10. Alampholder assembly according to claim 9, wherein the base plate isprovided with means of attachment for mounting additional electriccomponents on said base plate.